W. Cooper Jarnagin Attorney At Law

Highly skilled maritime lawyer defending cruise lines and vessel owners in complex claims and litigation. Board-certified by The Florida Bar in Admiralty and Maritime Law. 

Cooper Jarnagin represents some of the world’s largest cruise lines in high-exposure admiralty claims and complex maritime litigation. His expertise in this unique area of law includes passenger and crewmember claims alleging medical malpractice, sexual assault, over-service, wrongful death, unsafe workplace, deficient provision of maintenance and cure, and personal injury. Board-certified by The Florida Bar in Admiralty and Maritime Law, Cooper leverages his legal knowledge and practical litigation experience to assist his clients in a wide range of maritime industry matters.

Cooper’s comprehensive practice involves the initial investigation of incidents, written discovery, taking and defending depositions, dispositive motion practice, trial preparation, and appeals. He has obtained numerous favorable court decisions, working closely with maritime clients to mitigate risk, manage exposure, and minimize reputational damage. Cooper also has experience in the recreational marine sector, handling property damage and personal injury claims. His representation of vessel owners includes litigating limitation of liability actions, providing counsel in marine insurance coverage matters, and defending vessel repairers in breach of warranty actions.

Prior to joining GrayRobinson, Cooper was a member of a boutique firm dedicated to maritime and admiralty law. He frequently collaborates with GrayRobinson colleagues in the insurance defense, medical malpractice, and environmental and sustainability law practices to defend and protect marine sector clients in multifactorial claims and disputes. He has also served as local counsel in Florida federal court litigation.

• Insights
  • "Litigation Trends," American College of Emergency Physicians Cruise Ship Medicine Section Annual Meeting, September 29, 2024
  • "Boats and Shotguns,” The Florida Bar Admiralty Law Committee Winter Meeting, January 26, 2024
  • “The Eleventh Circuit’s Yusko Opinion and the Cases That Have Followed,” The Florida Bar Admiralty Law Committee Winter Meeting, January 28, 2022
• Media
  • "Carnival Prevails in Lawsuit Over Passenger’s Dining Area Mishap," Law360, January 26, 2024
  • "Carnival Door Injury Suit Can Be Refiled, Florida Judge Says," Law360, March 24, 2023
• Credentials
  • B.S., Florida State University, 2011
  • J.D., University of Miami School of Law, 2015, cum laude
  • Board-certified by The Florida Bar in Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Affiliations
  • Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club
  • Florida Bar Admiralty Committee
  • Florida Maritime Law and Practice, Seventh Edition, Steering Committee
  • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
• Admissions
  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (pro hac vice)
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
• Recognition
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2024